Your first step is- Get approved for a loan (unless you plan on paying cash). 

It allows you to take advantage of a low down payment loan.

DCSR Loan

My plan is to use a low down payment conventional loan, and with the factors you mentioned, it’ll likely be tough to find a property that breaks even.

I lived well below my means, worked a full time job for years while doing this on the side, persisted when others did not... and now I am enjoying the fruits of my labor.  

I'm feeling most drawn to a buy and hold rental investing strategy and like the idea of the BRRRR strategy in tandem with VA loans, basically refinancing VA loan backed mortgages to conventional loans once there is 20% equity in the home.

I am bullish on the FHA 203k and home-style renovation loans that allow you to leverage the cost of your renovation as part of your mortgage, which is just an insane deal, in my opinion.Do you have a specific area where you want to purchase?

This vary heavily town to town. 20% down is great if buying strictly as investment but if you have a way of owner occupying I would explore that route and apply the 20% down to increasing value of property and instead using low money down loan. 

Non conventional just means the loan will not be sold to Fannie/Freddie so they do not have to follow those rules.

., Purchase Price: $475,000 ($197.9/sq. ft.).Estimated Market Value: $402,000 ($168/sq. ft.).Financing Terms: 2% interest rate, with a 9-year balloon.Unit B Income: $2,049/month (Section 8 tenant through November 2025).Unit A Income Potential: Similar rent or higher; Section 8 cap for the area is $3,234/month.Monthly Loan Payment (P+I): $1,386.Cash Flow Breakdown (if both units are rented at $2,049/month):Gross Rent: $4,098/month.Vacancy (10%): $410/month.Operating Expenses (37.3%): $1,376/month.Net Cash Flow: $943/month.Key QuestionsWould you be comfortable paying an 18% premium for financing at 2%, especially in a market where current mortgage rates are closer to 7%?